IEM PI-Section B-Question 4

IEM Professional Interview

Section B - Questions on Regulation s on Professional Conduct

Question No. 4:

Professionalism cannot be taught by regurgitating (repeatedly speaking) the IEM Regulations of Professional Conduct nor by memorizing a set of rules. Do you agree with the statement and why?

(The following write-up was prepared (written) by Mr. BAY prior to his sitting for PI on Feb 2014. It is shared here for reference of other candidates.)

Introduction

IEM regulations of professional conduct are written rules and principles for members to conduct themselves in ethical and morale manner when discharging their duties and carrying their works. The regulations and rules are written in broad and general terms and cover all eventualities.

The regulations, basically, require members to uphold the dignity of the profession, be honest and fair to all parties, ensure works constitute no danger, do not jeopardize the benefits of his fellow engineers, etc.

By memorizing this set of regulations and rules, though cannot ensure professionalism of an engineer, these rules are introduction and basic qualifying requirement and essential guidelines that all members must remember. After memorizing and understand them with heart, the following aspects are also much desired to attain professionalism of the engineers.

Self-awareness and agreement to the importance of stipulated rules and regulations

Laws, regulations and rules are being introduced, developed, improved and enforced when society was forming and growing. In other words, civilisation was created with co-existence of rules and regulations. The rules and regulations are reference of accepted conducts for own comfort from all aspects and not jeopardizing the same of others. All members in the community will live in harmony situation and to make progress with healthy and positive competition ways when there are orders and everyone adhered to them.

For one to adhere to rules and regulations, his agreement and understanding to the rules is important. Then, he will only pledge to follow the rules.

For instance, some of the IEM regulations of professional conduct prohibit members from using self-laudatory works in advertisement or do not maliciously injure the reputation and prospect of other engineers.

In my opinions, engineering works are application of science knowledge to improve living standard of human. Engineers are those involved with the roles. This kind of roles are informative and implementation patterns and not adjective and praising ways. It is important so that we can perform our duties with real understanding and attending to engineering problems sincerely. We do not say or make public perceive that we could perform something extraordinary or can do much better or no one else could able to do similar. This rule is essential to avoid wrong perception from the public and to show our sincerity to contribute to the community while taking care of our business prospects.  

Engineers shall not injure other engineer both from words and any kind of unethical methods too. Should they want to compete, they compete with their skill and expertise to strive for valued engineering design and front end engineering design. With such healthy competition, both will further improve their own competence, benefiting themselves and the nation.

Practise/ Self-discipline to follow rules

Upon one agrees and understands the rules and regulations are for all members to conduct themselves in an order and ethical ways, which will eventually strengthen the attractiveness of the profession as a rewarding career; one will follow and practise the rules and regulations.

Continuing Professional Development

Competence is important for advancement of oneself and for the industry as a whole. Though one’s practises to-date provide safe and reliable works, technology are becoming more modern compared 20 to 30 years ago. Engineers, in old days, strive for safe, reliable works and meet schedule. For nowadays, in addition to safe, reliable and within schedule, the clients, industry players and public are also demanding for valued engineering design, front end engineering design (FEED), Green buildings and etc.

In other words, the industry is becoming more demanding. We need to cope with latest development of technology, new knowledge and open to its application. By continuing study and develop our competence, only can we keep our pace to provide excellent services to clients and public from all aspect such as safety, reliability, valued for money works, contemporary design and not jeopardizing the environment.

By continuing professional development, we enhance our competence and compete confidently to secure jobs and maintain business prospects. By becoming more competent, we could achieve professionalism and do not need unethical approaches.

Whistle blowers/ Enforcer such as Board of Engineers, Malaysia

There are sometimes some “bad apples”. Therefore, there must be an enforcement system in place. “Bad apples” are like small moles, but catch most attention and could be a crisis once appear and not be removed.

In Malaysia, Board of Engineers (BEM) is the regulatory body to register and deregister engineers. There are also mechanism and reasons, stipulated inside Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138) (REA), how an unethical offences that can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration of an engineer.

However, BEM does not able to play her roles and responsibilities unless there are whistle blowers and the similar mechanism within Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). By adhering to IEM rules and regulations, we could abide by most of the regulations by BEM and REA which both are reference for engineers to maintain professionalism.

Promoter of good practices and network among members such as Institution of Engineers, Malaysia

Interaction among engineers is important. Via interaction, people with similar abilities, qualifications, background and job nature can become peers among themselves to move to ethical direction. They could learn, share ideas, monitor and motivate each other.

By becoming members of Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), we can enhance our competence by participating talks, seminar organised by IEM and share ideas and experience among members. By becoming IEM members, we promise to abide by IEM rules and regulations. If any of the members breach the rules, he shall feel shame and will not earn the respect of others.

Guidance/ Mentor system

Young engineers are drivers of the industry and profession in future. It is relatively easy for them to acquire academic qualification and technical expertise under supervision of a registered professional engineer. However, both academic and technical skills are not total for professionalism. Professionalism shall include ethical behaviour too.

Hence, it is of paramount important that supervisor to monitor and guide their trainee the ethical practices when handling project and bear in mind his obligation to his clients and duties to public and environment at large.

Conclusion

Regurgitating IEM regulations on professional conduct is basic qualifying requirement to attain professionalism. In addition to that, members shall have strong agreement to the rules and regulation, feel proud and honour to follow the rules. It is because their pledges to follow the rules are to maintain the sustainability of the profession and make the career to continue to be rewarding and respectable ones.